Lost Creek Ridge
September 1997

Austin and Bill Peckinpaugh -Switchbacks in the Snow

No school on Friday meant we could do a multi-day trip in September, and the Lost creek Ridge trail is a good one. The weather cooperated and we had a great trip. It's a rugged trip, 20.5 miles and 7600 ft. climbed, but it is also one of the most scenic hikes in the Cascades. Topped off with a dip in Kennedy Hot Springs, it was a good way to close out the alpine hiking for the year.

This hike is no longer possible as we did it in 1997. In October 2003 the deteriorating Whitechuck Trail was completely destroyed by floods and mudslides taking out many trail bridges, and obliterating the hot springs and nearby ranger cabin.

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enlarge 299KB, 526x8002It's a long climb up the Lost Creek Ridge trail and we were late getting into camp. This photo is from the morning of the second day. Although the weather was nice, there had been some snowfall earlier in the week and any north facing slope was covered with 4-6 inches of snow. You can see the ridge above Round Lake, where we had to descend on a very slick ice covered trail. Fortunately we all made it down without incident.

enlarge 301KB, 540x80031Lake Byrne's Blue waters beckon from the trail - a very scenic spot with the fall colors in the foreground.

enlarge 258KB, 800x57232A last look at Glacier Peak before we begin the long descent to Kennedy Hot Springs and out the Whitechuck Trail. We paused for a dip in the hot springs, where we took a quick dip before continuing on out. Coincidently, one of the teachers at Adam and Jason's school was in the pool when we were there.

Unfortunately, Kennedy Hot Springs is no more, having been washed out in the floods of 2003. See these links for information:Kennedy Hot Springs before the floodKennedy Hot Springs after the floodThere is a good picture of the Springs in the "before" link. Troop 24 used to do an annual hike to the Springs in 70's and early 80's in late March or early April. Our record was 18 people at one time in the Springs, which seems impossible looking at how small the springs look in the picture.